Trim tray and can cover

ABSTRACT

A paint trim tray and can cover includes a container with an open top end and a closed bottom end. The bottom end is smaller in diameter than the opening in a paint can so that the container can be placed in the can. The top end of the container is larger in diameter than the can opening, but smaller than the diameter of the can cover, whereby, when the tray is placed in the can, the cover can be placed on the tray to protect the contents thereof from the atmosphere.

This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/859,962 filed Nov. 20, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a trim tray and can cover.

2. Description of Related Art

When painting molding, the corners of a room or the top and bottom edges of a wall which is often referred to as cutting or trimming, the usual practice is to use a brush rather than a roller. Moreover, rather than carrying around or climbing a ladder with a large paint can or tray, paint for cutting or trimming is often carried in a small container or a trim tray. When a taking break from painting, the usual practice is to at last partially re-seal the paint can by placing the lid back on the can. Meanwhile, the paint remaining in the trim tray can dry or form a surface film.

Accordingly, a need exists for something which performs the dual function of a small paint container or trim tray for use when painting trim and for temporarily covering the paint can and the trim tray during a break from painting. The object of the present invention is to meet this need.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a paint trim tray and can cover comprising a container having a circular cross section, said container including a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from a periphery of said bottom wall, and an open top end; a lower end of said containing having a diameter less than the diameter of a paint can opening and an upper end of said side wall having a diameter greater than the diameter of the paint can opening and smaller than the diameter of a lid for the paint can, whereby the tray can be inserted into the open top end of a paint can to temporarily seal the latter, and the lid can be placed on the open top end of the tray to seal the tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a trim tray and can cover in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tray and cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the tray and cover of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the tray and cover of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the tray and cover of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section of one-half the tray and cover taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a third embodiment of the tray and cover of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the tray of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the tray of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in its simplest form, the tray and paint can cover of the present invention includes a container 1 of circular cross section defined by a circular bottom wall 2 (FIG. 2) and a side wall 3 flaring upwardly from the periphery of the bottom wall to an open top end 4. The angle between the bottom wall 2 and the side wall 3 is preferably 6°. It will be appreciated that the angle can be more or less than 6°, but it has been found that 6° is the preferred angle for a tray having a height of approximately three inches. The diameter of the bottom end 5 of the tray 1 is less than the diameter of the opening 6 in a paint can 7, so that the tray 1 can be inserted into the open top end of the paint can to close the latter. After the tray 1 is inserted into the can 7, the lid 8 of the paint can is placed on the open top end of the tray. Thus, both the tray 1 and the a paint can 7 are temporarily closed and can be left for a considerable length of time before resuming painting. A wire 9 extends across the tray 1 near the open top end 3 thereof. The wire 9 is used for wiping a paint brush to remove excess paint.

A second embodiment of the tray of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6. The tray 10 is similar in shape to the tray 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that a segment is removed from the bottom of the tray, i.e. the bottom wall 11 of the tray is stepped. Thus, the tray 10 includes a circular bottom wall 11 with a segment removed, and a side wall 12 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 11. The top of the straight portion 14 of the side wall 12, i.e. the portion of the side wall extending upwardly from the straight edge of the bottom wall curves towards the horizontal to define a slightly inclined ledge or shoulder 15 (FIGS. 5 and 6), and then curves upwardly, terminating in an annular, convex flange or rim 16 extending around the open top end of the tray. Thus, the upper portion 18 of the side wall 12 tapers downwardly in the same manner as the side wall 2 of the tray 1. Ridges or projections 19 on the interior of the side wall 12 at the junction between the straight portion 14 and the ledge 15 are used to remove excess paint from a brush.

The diameter of the tray a short distance above the ledge 15 is slightly less than the diameter of the open top end of the paint can 7. Thus, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the tray 10 is placed in the open top end of the can 7, the bottom of the upper portion 18 of the side wall 12 seats in the can to close the latter. As with the tray 1, once the tray 10 is seated in the can opening, the lid 8 is placed on the tray to close the latter.

Referring to FIG. 7, a third embodiment of the tray and cover includes a circular bottom wall (not shown), a side wall 20 defined by a bottom portion 22 extending upwardly from the bottom wall to an annular shoulder 23 and a cylindrical top portion 24 extending upwardly from the shoulder 23 to an open top end 26. As in the tray and cover of FIGS. 1 and 2, the third embodiment of the invention includes a wire 9 for wiping a paint brush. The diameter of the bottom portion 22 of the side wall 20 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the open top end of a paint can 7, so that the tray can be inserted into an open can. After the tray has been inserted into a can, the lid of the paint can is placed on the open top end 26 of the tray.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the tray of the present invention which is quite similar to the tray of FIGS. 3 to 6. Accordingly, wherever possible the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or similar elements in FIGS. 8 and 9. The tray of FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a circular bottom wall 11 with a segment removed, and a side wall 12 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 11. Thus, the bottom wall 11 includes a convex, vertical portion 29 extending upwardly to a ledge 15. When a brush (not shown) is wiped on the convex inner edge 30 of the ledge 15, the brush fans out to facilitate the removal of paint from the bristles. As in the case of the tray of FIGS. 3 to 6, the tray of FIGS. 8 and 9 includes an annular flange or rim 16 around the open top end of the tray for receiving a lid 8 (FIG. 4). The tray tapers slightly downwardly for seating in the open top end of a paint can 7 (FIGS. 1 to 3).

In all embodiments of the invention, it is preferable that the height of the tray is such that the tray does not interfere with the conventional wire can handle, i.e. prevent rotation of the handle between the rest position against the can side and an elevated use position. 

1. A paint trim tray and can cover comprising a container having a circular cross section, said container including a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from a periphery of said bottom wall, and an open top end; a lower end of said containing having a diameter less than the diameter of a paint can opening and an upper end of said side wall having a diameter greater than the diameter of the paint can opening and smaller than the diameter of a lid for the paint can, whereby the tray can be inserted into the open top end of a paint can to temporarily seal the latter, and the lid can be placed on the open top end of the tray to seal the tray.
 2. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 1, wherein said side wall tapers downwardly from said open top end to said bottom end of the container
 3. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 1, wherein said bottom wall includes a ledge at one side thereof, said ledge having an inner edge for wiping a brush to remove excess paint.
 4. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 3, including projections on said inner edge of said ledge for facilitating paint removal from a brush.
 5. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 3, wherein said inner edge of said ledge is convex for causing bristles of a brush to flare outwardly during excess paint removal.
 6. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 3, wherein said ledge slopes inwardly from said side wall, whereby paint on said ledge can flow downwardly to the bottom of the container.
 7. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 1, wherein said side wall includes a cylindrical bottom portion having a diameter less than the diameter of the paint can opening, a top portion having a diameter greater than the diameter of the paint can opening and smaller than the diameter of the paint can lid, and an annular ledge between said bottom and top portions for seating on the top of the paint can.
 8. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 2, including a wire extending across the interior of the container near the open top end for wiping a paint brush.
 9. The paint trim tray and can cover of claim 1, including an annular, convex rim on the upper end of said wall. 